Hundreds of thousands of protesters filled the streets of Amsterdam on Sunday, demanding that the Dutch governmenttake a firmer stance against Israel’s genocide in Gaza. Around 250,000 people joined the “Red Line March,” wearing red to symbolize opposition to Israel’s siege. Despite heavy rain, participants chanted “Free, free Palestine!” and carried banners condemning Israel’s actions. The protest echoed a previous mass demonstration in The Hague in May, showing growing public outrage over the war.
The demonstration took place just weeks before the Dutch general election, adding political pressure on the government. Protesters argued that the Netherlands has failed to hold Israel accountable for alleged war crimes in Gaza, urging leaders to push for an immediate ceasefire and humanitarian aid. “This is the least we can do,” said Emilia Rivero, a young protester from Utrecht, emphasizing her frustration over the ongoing violence.
According to PAX Netherlands, the organization behind the march, the goal was to demand stronger political action and an end to what they described as a “genocide” in Gaza. The group’s director, Rolien Sasse, urged the government to increase diplomatic pressure on Israel to stop the violence and protect civilians. Despite these demands, Israel denies all accusations of genocide, claiming its military operations are acts of self-defense in response to the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks.
In recent months, however, the Dutch government has slightly shifted its policy toward Israel. It imposed travel bans on two far-right Israeli ministers accused of inciting violence and announced plans to ban imports from Jewish settlements in occupied territories. The Netherlands also expressed support for the EU’s proposal to suspend certain trade measures with Israel. Still, Geert Wilders, leader of the largest parliamentary party, continues to voice strong, unconditional support for Israel, reflecting deep divisions in Dutch politics over the Palestinian genocide.
Source:
Campenhout, C. (2025, October 5). Hundreds of thousands protest in Amsterdam against Gaza war. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/hundreds-thousands-protest-amsterdam-against-gaza-war-2025-10-05/